Category - Nightlife

A Kiki is urban slang for a party with good music and friends meant to calm the nerves, allowing people to spill the tea and dish the dirt for the purpose of reducing anxiety and stress. Given the political climate, the LGBTQ community and their allies seem in desperate need of a kiki.

Early in 2017, the Laugh Factory Chicago (3175 North Broadway) launched the new LGBTQ monthly show, the Kiki — Queer Comedy with Variety. Since then, the Kiki has provided a solid roster featuring Chicago’s top queer talent.

Beer lovers, rejoice! It’s a great time to be alive! This could have been a headline in 1890s Chicago when our town was one of the biggest producers of beer during the late 19th Century. And lucky for us, history repeats itself. Today we are in the midst of the greatest beer producing period in American history. Walk in any direction and you’ll undoubtedly find a brewery within half a mile. As a historian, it’s fun to think about how the past influences our present. And as a beer historian, it’s pretty special to reflect on recent beer history.

In thinking about the modern era of Chicago beer, there are certain breweries that were true pioneers. Piece Pizzeria & Brewery (1927 W. North Avenue) opened in Wicker Park in 2001, at a time when the city of Chicago had only one other brewery (waves at Goose Island). A brewery in Wicker Park may have seemed novel 16 years ago, but 116 years ago, not so much.

River North might just be the nightlife capital of Chicago. However, this neighborhood has much more to offer than just bars. You could easily spend an entire day here dining, shopping and enjoying the city. Keep reading for your guide to a day in River North that won’t break the bank.

Chicago Craft Beer Week (May 18–25) always offers an array of delicious opportunities for thirsty Chicagoans, and this year's schedule is no different. Here is a little intro to the events celebrating local Chicago and Illinois breweries, and some of my top picks for the 2017 #CCBW line-up. See you there!

On a quiet corner of Belle Plaine Avenue in Chicago's North Center neighborhood, beside the Metra tracks, wild, Chicago-born yeast blows in through the third floor window of the acclaimed Dovetail Brewery, magically turning water into some of the best Lambic-style beers in Chicago and beyond.

Margaritas are a staple drink of summertime in Chicago. They're refreshing, tasty and appropriate to enjoy with brunch, lunch or dinner. The top Chicago margaritas on this list will make you want to venture out for Mexican cuisine on more than just Taco Tuesdays or Cinco de Mayo!

Are you ready to say sayonara to the single life? Gather your girlfriends for one last hurrah at one of these unique, celebration-worthy Chicago hot-spots. Why settle for a boring bachelorette bash when you can transform into mermaids, capture your retro charm on camera or enjoy a little apres-ski indulgence minus the mountains? Here are our picks for the best spots in Chicago to host a one-of-a-kind bachelorette bash.

Ukrainian Village is one of those Chicago neighborhoods that you’ve probably heard about and have been meaning to visit, but maybe never got around to it. It’s simple to plan a fun, budget-friendly day in this West Town neighborhood. Read on for the best and most affordable eats, shops and more in Ukrainian Village.

Spring is here in Chicago and things are warming up in the Windy City. Warmer temperatures means that there's even more to do in the city, as markets open their doors and song and dance fill the air (no, really!). Most of the options in our list are free things to do in Chicago this month, with a few that will run you less than $10.